1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

The 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS arrived during a time of change for muscle cars. Following Detroit’s drift toward muscle pretenders was
the Heavy Chevy of ’71-72. This was a budget SS with a cutesy name, its own
exterior graphics, and 14-inch tires. Heavy Chevy V-8 choices ranged from the
307 V-8 to the Turbo-Fire 400-cube small block.

The 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS had a 3.31:1 gear, the strongest performance ratio available at the time.

Production totals for the 402-
and 350-cube SS Chevelles are sketchy, but some sources put the number around
60,000. Chevy researchers say 9402 SS 454 Chevelles were built for ’71.
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For ’72, the net horsepower ratings kicked
in and engines were rated with all their power-robbing accessories attached.
The LS-5 454’s rating under this system was 270 horsepower. The Turbo-Jet 400
came in at 240 net horsepower. Few of these big blocks were ordered, though, as
SS Chevelle buyers opted for an expanded range of more docile V-8s. There was
the 350 in 165-and 175-horse trim, and this year even the 130-horsepower 307
was available in an SS.

The Super Sport package itself changed
little and still made the Chevelle look brawny, no matter the engine. All LS-5s
were mated to the Rockcrusher four-speed, while the other V-8s got either the
three- or four-speed manual, depending on horsepower. And since power had
fallen to ranges that wouldn’t damage the Powerglide two-speed automatic, it
now joined the Hydra-matic on the options list. A 3.31:1 gear was now the strongest
performance ratio available.

Chevelle SS production fell to 24,946. The
LS-5 found only 5333 takers, including a handful who ordered SS 454
convertibles, the last of the Super Sport Chevelle ragtops.